Old World Italian

My copy of Mimi Thorisson’s new cookbook, Old World Italian, arrived yesterday and it has me excited for a cozy weekend of recipe reading and testing. We are headed up north to our tiny cabin this evening, a place where I love to cook, so the timing could not have been more perfect.

I’ve followed Mimi for years, since her idyllic days in Médoc living in her family’s farmhouse and now, I look forward to reading about their new adventure in Turin, Italy.

Admittedly, part of what first drew me into her work was the photography. Her husband, Oddur Thorisson has been capturing her culinary travels and recipes since the beginning. There is such depth to her work — her authenticity and passion comes alive in the imagery that feels so uncontrived yet seductive in color, texture and mood. And yes, there is indeed an element of “Old World” to her spirit and philosophy that I find incredibly alluring. She is perhaps one of the royal members of and advocates for the Slow Food movement that captivates many of us.

From foraging in the fields for mushrooms, to the best duck with green olives in Paris, to her favorite local markets in Bordeaux, Mimi has always been a go-to source of mine when I’m scheming up special meals, and even influenced our restaurant selections in Paris last fall and on our honeymoon in Italy.

I highly recommend following Mimi on Instagram, and welcoming her cookbook to your kitchen.

Now, I’m off to find some Oxtail Stock…

ABOVE & BELOW: Snippets from Mimi’s new cookbook, available for order on Amazon — or, better yet, call your local bookstore to see if they will order for you.

Perfectly Provocative in Nantucket

My work requires me to spend a bit of time connected to Instagram, which in large doses can feel a bit stifling these days. However, every once in a while, there are certain images that are literally jaw dropping and remind me how the platform can serve as an incredibly seductive escape. This recent post by Steven Gambrel was exactly the provocative visual I needed. How sensational is this Nantucket kitchen? His materials and finishes are always second to none, and I love how the french pastry shelves feels right at home. Intentional, of course.

All images are via Steven Gambrel’s Instagram, @stevengambrel

the best kinds of decisions…

We’ve moved into a new little abode which in part, feels like a miracle. The past few months have been quite the roller coaster of emotions and sheer frenzy of activity. From a Pandemic, to my sister’s wedding getting cancelled, to having a baby, cancelling travel, losing a dog, buying a house, renovating another, and so on, it finally feels good to be settled. I use the world “settled” loosely of course, as we’re living in a sea of cardboard boxes, more construction and fabric swatches on just about every piece of furniture. And it seems the furniture I have ordered thus far won’t arrive until the holidays!

I’m feeling very excited — and a bit overwhelmed — in tackling all of the design decisions that need to be made. From the sweet little screened in porch, to the adult sitting room (this was a big one on my wish list!) and to the baby’s room, there are countless considerations to be made about how we want to use each space and thus, how it will come together. I’m feeling especially drawn to a certain ease and comfort that some of my favorites master so well. I find myself looking to inspiration from Carrier & Company (as classic as they come), Remy Renzullo (he’s having a serious moment right now) and Virginia Tupker (who decorated LSD’s home on Long Island). I’m drawn to block prints, subtle patterns and lots of textures.

Markham Roberts’ new book, Notes on Decorating, arrives today, and perhaps I’ll find some pages to dog ear. And so it continues!

LSD’s dressing room. Design by Virginia Tupker.

Mark Cunningham, Southhampton. See here.

Carrier & Company, Southhampton.

Remy Renzullo:

”The wall and curtain fabrics are cottons from a 200 year old traditional Provençal printer and the floors were hand painted to give the illusion of being faded by the sun.”

Eye Candy

I love getting the KRB New Product emails. Everything she procures for her shop is just so special, whimsy & simply sublime. Today’s email was no exception. While these are certainly just eye candy for moi, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites…

HAND-BLOWN CRYSTAL BALL LAMP IN IRISH GREEN, KRB NYC

PAIR OF EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH PORCELAIN DESIGNS, KRB NYC

CHRISTOPHER SPITZMILLER LIME MARBLE GARDEN STOOL, KRB NYC

SYON HOUSE GREAT HALL, KRB NYC